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Does Diversity Matter? Behavioural Differences between Piglets Given Diverse or Similar Forms of Enrichment Pre-Weaning
Schmitt, Océane Poidevin, Aurélie O'Driscoll, Keelin
Schmitt, Océane
Poidevin, Aurélie
O'Driscoll, Keelin
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2020-10-09
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Schmitt, O.; Poidevin, A.; O'Driscoll, K. Does Diversity Matter? Behavioural Differences between Piglets Given Diverse or Similar Forms of Enrichment Pre-Weaning. Animals 2020, 10, 1837. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10101837
Abstract
This study investigated the behavioural effects of providing different enrichment materials
to suckling piglets from 7 days-old until weaning. One object was attached to the pen wall (WALL),
and the other was suspended in the middle of the pen (MID). Control group had the hessian fabric in
both locations, and the two diverse groups had hessian and bamboo stick in alternate locations (i.e.,
BMID-HWALL and HMID-BWALL). Piglets behaviour was recorded on D0 (object introduction),
D1, D5, D8, D12, and D14; at weaning and 1, 3, 5 and 15 days after. Groups did not differ in
approaching or interacting with objects on D0. MID objects attracted more attention than WALL
objects (p < 0.01). Piglets interacted more with hessian than bamboo (p < 0.001). They performed
more oral manipulation and shaking with hessian (p < 0.001), but more pushing of bamboo (p < 0.001).
Interactions with objects increased with time (p < 0.001), especially with hessian (p < 0.01), while
interest in bamboo remained unchanged. Control piglets performed more biting than piglets with
diverse enrichment (pooled data), both pre- and post-weaning (p < 0.05). Therefore, providing
different types of enrichment material can reduce biting behaviour pre- and post-weaning. Hessian
was favoured, possibly because this was easier to bite and shake, which were the behaviours most
often observed.